Join a fam trip to discover northern France 10-13 October

CTA member Stuart Render Tourism is inviting coach tour operators and group tour wholesalers to join a familiarisation trip this October to discover what northern France has to offer as a group-friendly destination.

The four-day fam trip, being delivered by Hauts-de-France Tourism (which has recently joined as a new member of CTA), with the involvement of Backwaters Cruising, will give an opportunity to discover a region that is the closest international destination to the UK, and offers a wide range of group-friendly attractions and destinations just a short drive from Calais or Dunkirk.

The fam trip will include:

A ride by electric punt through Les Hortillonnages, the magnificent water gardens in Amiens
An underground visit to the spectacular ‘La Caverne du Dragon’ at the Museum of the Chemin des Dames Battlefield
A guided visit to the Palace of Compiegne
Visits to the new Tank Museum at Flesquieres, Noyon Cathedral, and the new CWGC Visitor Centre at Arras
A visit to the Museum of Picardy and a presentation of visitor attractions in the Somme
A guided introduction to the historic town of Laon with a lakeside lunch at the nearby Golf Hotel Lac de L’Ailette
A rail journey from Arras to Amiens with an on-board presentation highlighting rail-tour and integrated cruise-rail itineraries across Hauts-de-France.

The fam trip is open to one or two representatives from a coach operator or tour wholesaler on a DB&B double or twin room basis. The fam trip departs by coach from Folkestone at 6.15am on Sunday 10 October, travelling by Eurotunnel. The coach will return to Folkestone by 6pm on Wednesday 13 October.

This fam trip is being fully funded by Hauts-de-France, Backwaters Cruising, Eurotunnel and the local tourism offices. There is no charge to coach tour operators and tour wholesalers, but you may need to pay for an overnight stop in Folkestone in readiness for the early departure on 10 October.

Representatives from Hauts-de-France Tourism, Aisne Tourism, Oise Tourism and Somme Tourism will be giving full details of group-friendly itineraries, attractions and destinations.

A highlight of the visit will be the cruise on board ‘Natalia’, Backwaters Cruising’s 40-seat floating observation lounge, for a cruise of the Aisne/Oise Canal, passing through Braye Tunnel and negotiating four locks. The Backwaters team will provide updates on how to programme a coach/rail/cruise.

Spaces are limited so bookings for this fam trip are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email Stuart Render at stuart@stuartrendertourism.co.uk to register interest or to ask any questions. The deadline for bookings is Friday 19 March.